To Be a Better Writer, Ditch Perfectionism

Have you ever worked on a project, finished it, and then went back later and decided to start all over again because it wasn’t good enough? 

Or maybe you’ve had a brilliant idea but are convinced you can’t make it as great as it is in your head because it has to be perfect so you don’t start at all.

Does this sound familiar? 

If you’re a fellow achiever, you might be nodding along. 

I totally get it! Because I do that in almost all areas of my life. 

Or I used to. 

These days I’m a recovering perfectionist.

What is Perfectionism? 

You’ve probably heard the term perfectionism, or of the compulsion to be a perfectionist.  

Because I love the dictionary (yes, I love the dictionary), I wanted to share the definition so we can talk about it.

A perfectionist is someone who “refuses to accept any standard short of perfection” and a perfectionist mindset is “refusing to accept any standard short of perfectionism.” 

So, perfectionism can be used to describe both a person and the beliefs behind it. 

Why is Perfectionism Harmful? 

For most of my life, I didn’t see a problem with perfectionism. If we’re being honest, I was one of those people that used perfectionism as a fake “weakness” in job interviews because I truly thought it was a strength. 

And I’ll say this - it’s not a bad thing to have high standards! Like at all. I encourage it, because I think it helps us and everyone around us both in the short and long-term.

The problem is when we don’t allow for any sort of human error. 

Sure, we want to strive for the best we can be, but we are, in fact, humans who make mistakes. We have off days. Days we’re just surviving. Days we just want to be over because it sucked. 

And that’s okay! It’s part of the human experience! 

The fact of the matter is that perfectionism and a perfectionist mindset causes serious issues in our lives that we sometimes don’t even realize are there. 

It’s actually incredibly harmful! Here’s why:

Creates Unachievable Standards 

We can’t be perfect, and the work we produce can’t be perfect. But when you’re a perfectionist, you have this mindset that you have to keep trying until it is perfect. This creates a pattern of burning ourselves out trying to get to a standard we can’t actually reach.

Too Much Pressure 

Have you ever noticed the people in your life who are perfectionists always seem to be more stressed? And maybe they don’t say that, but you can tell just by the way they speak and act? This is because perfectionism puts an INCREDIBLE amount of pressure on people. Sometimes it feels like you’re carrying the weight of the world on your own two shoulders. 

Have you ever felt like that? 

It’s awful. It’s so stressful. It’s way too much pressure for a single person!

Delays in Action 

This is kind of a sneaky aspect of perfectionism, because as a perfectionist you think you’re “taking the time to research all the options” or you need to “think about it” for a lot longer than it actually takes to decide. It doesn’t feel like a problem because you feel like you’re being thorough.

In reality, it’s really just delaying the moment where you take action. It means that before you’ve even taken action, you’re worried that it won’t be the right choice, or the decision you make won’t be good enough. It can drag on and on.

Permanent Inaction 

At the peak of perfectionism, sometimes perfectionists decide not to do anything at all because they know they’ll never meet their own standards. That means that some brilliant books, works of art, music - versions of all the things we enjoy - haven’t been made or won’t be made because someone somewhere didn’t think their idea was good enough. How crazy is that?! So sad! 

What Happens if I Stay a Perfectionist? 

I was in camp perfectionist up until probably the last maybe 2-3 years? And let me tell you, the grass really IS greener over here outside of camp. 

If you’re a writer (and I suspect you are!), this is especially important for you. Writing is a cyclical process - it’s not a one and done be perfect the first time situation. For anyone. Writing is a skill, not a talent, so don’t let perfectionism stop you from expressing your imagination and creativity. 

In the case you’re not quite ready to decide if you should change your mindset, here’s what will happen if you keep being a perfectionist: 

• Keep Being Frustrated

• Keep Not Starting the Writing Project of Your Dreams

• Keep Having a Low Level of Confidence

• Keep Taking No Action

• Keep Letting Fear of Failure Run Your Life

• Always Feel Stressed

• Always Feel Spread Too Thin

• Always Wondering How Everyone Else Looks So Calm

I hate to break it to you, but perfectionism will always be a weight, if you decide to keep it. 

It’s not going to feel good, or like you’re “doing your best.” 

It’s going to feel like you’re doing your best and it’s never enough. 

It’s going to feel like you’re watching everyone else achieve these awesome things and thinking “Why isn’t that happening for me?” because you can’t see that it is happening to you.

And creatively, it’s going to feel like this little voice in your head saying “Why bother starting that project when you know you can’t do it right?”

Does that sound like something you want to stay signed on for? 

How Do I Ditch Perfectionism?

So, before we talk about how to ditch the crap out of perfectionism (because you should), I want to just say that talking about perfectionist mindset in this way makes it sound so easy.

Like it’s something you can just throw in the trash can and walk away. It’s not. 

FAR from it. 

Perfectionism is so deeply ingrained in those of us with the mindset that - I’m not going to lie to you - it will be a long time before you feel like you can stop. 

It’s not a quick fix situation. 

It’s a life long, show up and work on it situation. 

I will also tell you that it’s 100% worth it.

No matter what else you do, or other ways you feel, I guarantee that ditching perfectionism is the right choice. And you CAN do it. 

Here’s how:

1. Decide that perfectionism is a real problem for you.

First, you have to recognize it’s a problem before you can fix it! 

Think about the old saying “Why fix something that’s not broken?” 

Should we keep using the old way that kind of works sometimes? Or choose a new, better way that’s not only more efficient, but works every time? 

Start with allowing yourself the space to know - really know - that perfectionism is the old way and you can do better. 

2. Evaluate the areas of your life where perfectionism is prevalent.

Once you’ve decided to change (which is a big step!) you need to evaluate where to start. 

Think about the areas where your perfectionism runs most rampant. 

Where you are paralyzed because of it. Or super uncomfortable. Or where you’ve been working on something for years with no progress because it’s “not good enough.” 

3. Choose one area of your life and plan the steps you can start taking small, imperfect actions.

When you’ve figured out which areas feel the worst, or where perfectionism is really running the show, choose ONE area and make a plan to start taking action. 

This doesn’t mean you need a 10 year plan for your whole life.

It means you need a plan for what you are going to do this week. This month. For ONE area. 

How are you going to start taking those baby steps toward action even though you know it’s not going to be perfect?

4. Continuously remind yourself that mistakes are okay because you are human.

When you’ve made a plan, it’s time to implement it. One of the hardest things about ditching perfectionism is the sheer number of times you will have to tell yourself: 

It is okay to make a mistake. It is okay that this is not perfect. I’m leaving it alone anyway because I did my best and my best is enough.

Your best IS enough, and you will have to keep reminding yourself. When you tell yourself over and over, you’ll not only start feeling better about your work, but you’ll also believe it - even if you don’t at first. 

5. Keep taking small imperfect actions until it becomes a habit.

The way to kick perfectionism to the curb once and for all is to literally just show up and take imperfect actions, no matter how small they are, until it becomes a habit. Until you stop doing your best and then redoing it. Until you really know that your best is already enough. Just keep going. 

One day you’ll smile and realize you’re not a perfectionist anymore. And then you’ll smile even bigger because you feel SO MUCH BETTER.  

Perfectionism & Writing

You might have noticed that I didn’t talk a whole lot about writing in this blog, even though the title says that getting rid of the perfectionist mindset will make you a better writer. 

I did this purposefully because honestly? One of the places writers struggle with perfectionism the most - and where it’s most damaging - is in our writing. We get stuck in this trap of thinking that the first draft is always bad, or that we’ll never be in the same league with the writers of the “classics” we all read in school. We tell ourselves things like, “Oh, I’m no Jane Austen.”

The reality is that, no, I’m not Jane Austen. But I don’t NEED to be Jane Austen to be a good writer. I can be “just me” and be a good writer. But perfectionism almost completely blocks that out in our minds. 

So when I say ditching perfectionism will make you a better writer, it’s because: 

• You’ll be writing

• You’ll like writing

• You’ll believe in your writing again (or maybe for the first time)

• You’ll be braver in your writing

• You might even share your writing! And find out that people like it!

If we’re choosing only one area to start ditching perfectionism, writing might not always be the first step. It might be relationships or body image or any other number of things.

That doesn’t mean writing is less important, but it does mean you have to make the decision of what to prioritize in your own life. 

Besides, once you start ditching perfectionism in one area, the other areas will get a little easier as it grows into a habit. You might even find that by focusing on one area, the others (including writing) get a little better seemingly on their own. 

Next Steps

Wow, that was a lot! I feel like I’m not normally quite so dictatorial or, dare I say, aggressive, when I’m writing blogs! 

This is such an important conversation, though, and one that we need to have! You really will be a better writer when you’re not in the perfectionist mindset. If you don’t believe me, try it and see what happens!

But what the heck do you do with all this info now that you have it?

1. Decide you don’t want to be a perfectionist.

Even if you’re not ready right this minute (don’t worry - I get it!), keep thinking about these ideas. You will save yourself a lot of stress and heartache if you make the decision sooner rather than later.

2. Practice taking action that’s NOT perfect.

Take some small actions that aren’t perfect! Start practicing your imperfect life. 

3. Keep trying, even when you fail (and you will).

This whole process is probably going to be frustrating. It’s a lot of work, and you’ll fail sometimes. It happens! And that really is okay, I promise. But don’t give up when you fail. Keep trying - you’ll get there. 

4. Be kind to yourself.

Some people are really good at being kind to themselves and doing enough self-care, which is awesome. For those of us who are not, this is a gentle reminder that you need to be nice to yourself as you’re building these habits. 

This is why I say I’m a recovering perfectionist - it’s not something that just happens. I regularly tell myself positive things and am really intentional about being kind to myself because it doesn’t come easily to me. That doesn’t mean it’s not important! Just that I have to intentionally give myself grace. 

5.Get Help if You Need It

If this all seems overwhelming, or you are slightly panicking because you don’t know what to do next, don’t be afraid to get help. If you’re a writer and the area you want to focus on next is your writing and you’re ready to break those habits and make your dreams happen, I can help! 

I work with writers 1:1 all the time on planning and strategizing about their writing. I can also just act as a consistent supporter for other recovering perfectionist writers. You can read more about my 1:1 services here, or you can shoot me an email and we can have a brief chat about what you want and need next. 

My challenge to you is to make the bold decision to stop being a perfectionist.

Are you a perfectionist? Did you used to be a perfectionist and decided to stop? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com! 

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing.

4 Reasons Online Writing Courses are Totally Worth the Money

For many of us, this month marks 5 months since we’ve been at home due to the pandemic. Whether it’s because we were furloughed or laid off from our jobs, or simply working at home - it’s been a minute since things have been “normal” or the version of normal we had before COVID-19. 

During this time, there has been such a surge in online learning, not just for kiddos who had to switch to eLearning to finish out the year, but for adults, too! 

Although it’s been a tumultuous time, there has been an exceptional opportunity for learning.

Although it’s been a tumultuous time, there has been an exceptional opportunity for learning. I’ve seen a pretty awesome variety of online courses throughout the last few months, many of which are teaching skills people can use to get jobs or find freelance work online. 

But what I’ve been most interested in lately are online writing courses. I have a little bit of a bias because writing is my favorite thing, but writing is an incredibly marketable skill people can use during these abnormal times!

What Do You Mean by Online Writing Course?

There are lots of different types of writing courses. The ones we typically think of might happen in colleges or at the local community centers, which are both valuable options. 

But when I’m talking about an online writing course, I mean a writing course that is: 

Completely Remote

There aren’t any face-to-face components, meaning you don’t have to go somewhere specific to learn the material. There might be videos to watch, or even live teaching, but you can stay at home (or travel wherever you want) to complete the course.

Self-Paced or Specific Program

Some online writing courses give you full access to all the modules and information up front when you buy it. These are self-paced, meaning you can complete them all at your leisure. 

There are also online writing course programs that are a predetermined number of weeks, where you complete tasks and learn information incrementally more like a classroom experience.  Common lengths for these are usually between 8-12 weeks. 

A Course that Teaches You an Aspect of Writing

We couldn’t talk about an online writing course without stipulating that it’s actually about writing. There are so many options for you to learn online - things like marketing, sales, wellness, etc. - but when I say online writing course, I mean skills for writing like the writing process, editing, proofreading, copy editing, and the like. Things that you do writing for during the course. 

Why Take Online Writing Courses? 

If you’ve read my other posts or talked to me in person, you probably know that I always talk about how writing is a skill, not a talent. 

Do some people naturally like it better? Yes. 

Do some people seem to excel at it more easily than others? Also yes. 

That being said, almost everyone has the ability to learn a new skill, which means that almost everyone can learn to write. 

Not only is it a good personal skill in terms of communication, but it’s also a powerful professional skill that is highly sought after. Employers want good writers, at least the ones I’ve seen do.

But knowing that writing is a super valuable skill, why would someone choose to take an online writing course to learn it? 

Quick to Gain New Skills

An online writing course can be a quick way to gain a brand new skill, especially if you find yourself with free time. You likely won’t have to spend 3-6 months learning from an online course, unless it’s a more specialized program. If it’s a self-paced course, you could potentially cram it all into a small block of time and start practicing right away.

Grow & Hone Skills You Already Have

If you already know the basics of writing, you can take an online writing course to learn different types of writing and hone those skills you already know how to do. An example might be copy writing or editing. There are also creative writing courses available online.

Self-paced

Probably one of the top reasons people opt for online writing courses is the ability to be self-paced. Because everyone learns differently, some people need more time in certain areas than others. Sometimes people just want to take their time and not rush through. Whatever the case, many online writing courses have the great benefit of being self-paced. 

Flexible with Location

A lot of people like online writing courses because they don’t have to be in a specific place to learn. Sometimes you’ll hear this flexibility called “location independent” and right now there’s a huge number of people who would love to travel the world and be able to make money from anywhere. Learning writing skills online makes a whole lot of sense for this lifestyle. 

Cheaper Than a Degree

Last, but certainly not least, online writing courses are chapter than getting a degree in writing. That’s not to say that all writing courses online are cheap, because that’s definitely not the case! The fact is, you can learn a specific skill online and potentially make money from it faster and cheaper than getting a degree in writing. 

This isn’t to say I’m in any way against college or going to college for writing - I’m definitely not! I was an English major myself, and it was an incredibly valuable experience. I’m an English major advocate. That being said, if you just want to hone a specific skill, especially an online skill, online writing courses can be a great way to do so. 

4 Reasons Online Writing Courses are Worth the Money

Online writing courses clearly have some pretty awesome benefits! 

There’s definitely no shortage of people making excellent money from writing online, and the number of people who do freelance writing is and has been on the rise for years. 

But is it really worth it to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars to take online writing courses? 

The short answer: Yes. 

Here’s why:

You Take Charge of Your Learning

When you’re in the online learning space, there’s not one “right” path, or even a path that every single person takes. 

Pretty much everyone will tell you their course will change your life - and there’s a good chance it might. 

But the fact is, unlike a more traditional learning path, you get to choose: 

• What skills to learn

• Where to learn those skills

• How much you’re willing to pay to learn those skills

• What’s valuable to you

You’re the one making the decisions, not an institution or a salesperson. Whether or not you find this scary (it definitely can be!), it’s the truth. Everything is a la carte. You can buy one thing from 5 people or, if you find someone who’s really helpful, 5 things from one person. Either way, you get to make that decision.

You Control the Time Frame

When you take online writing courses, you know ahead of time exactly what you’re getting. You have the option to purchase a course that’s self-paced so you can do it on your own time.

There are also plenty of options to join a program that walks through things step-by-step, if you think that will be helpful in keeping you accountable and moving forward. 

You’re free to choose whichever sounds more appealing to you. 

You Have the Opportunity to Network & Connect with a Community

In most online writing courses, you will get an invitation to join a community of like-minded individuals who are completing the program with you. It’s kind of like a class, but without the mandatory butt-in-seat time & forced group work. 

Being able to network and be a part of a writing community is incredibly valuable, though, because not only do you hear what other people are thinking about, struggling with, and winning at, but you can also get a little slice of that human connection with people who know what you’re working on. 

You Can Go Wherever You Want (as Long as You Have Internet)

Probably one of the best things about taking an online writing course is the ability to go anywhere and still have access to the same quality of learning - as long as you have the internet, of course. 

It’s an added bonus that you could even potentially stay at home in your own bed with your favorite grungy PJs and absolutely no one will know or care. Who doesn’t want that option to learn such a valuable skill?! 

Where to Take Online Writing Courses

By now you’re probably wondering where the heck to find these online writing courses because, hey, there are awesome perks and maybe you’re tired of being at home doing nothing. Or maybe you’ve been at home doing everything and you want to start spending some time on you!

Either way, there are some pretty great places to take online writing courses. These are just a few ideas because I have used them personally, but I would encourage you to look at all the options for any skill you want to learn! Have some fun, do some dreaming, and then decide. 

1. Masterclass -If you want to learn writing from some master writers, Masterclass is an awesome place to go! You can take classes from such writers as: Dan Brown, Margaret Atwood, Judy Blume, and Malcolm Gladwell. These writers are bonafide writing successes!

2. Udemy - You can find almost any skill with a huge variety of teachers on Udemy. They have anything from creative to technical to academic writing skills courses available. Just make sure that you look through the options and look at the teacher before choosing so you know you’re getting information from someone who really knows their stuff! 

3. From Me! - I won’t toot my own horn too much, but I’ve worked with a lot of students over the years. One of my main focuses, aside from the actual skills building part, is to increase student confidence. And I’ll tell you a secret, I’ve been focusing on building student confidence with my teaching since I started - I’ve always worked on it as a teacher. 

The program I’m offering starting in September is 8 weeks long, and I designed it to take writers from the very beginning (we start with brainstorming) through the writing process and come out at the end with a “good” first draft of a creative project. 

I couldn’t be more excited if I tried! If you want to read all about it, you can click here. It will take you to the program page and fill you in on all the juicy details. 

Next Steps

So there you have it! Online writing courses can be a great way to gain practical (and fun) new skills that will help you in your career, and probably at home, too! You’ll love the flexibility, the options, and the decisions you get to make about what you’re learning. It’s a good deal! There’s a reason there are so many choices. 

But what do you do with this information?

1. Decide What Writing Skills You Want to Work On You’ll probably want to choose one or two skills to start with before you try to look at classes to take, otherwise you might get overwhelmed by the variety. Thinking about what you want to do with your new skills will help.

2. Look for Classes You Could Take to Improve Your Skills If you’re not able to pinpoint which skills you want to learn, you can always take a look at what’s available, although I’ll warn you it’s a lot! Sometimes it’s fun to window shop before you decide on the must have, though, you know? 

3. Sign Up for a Class/Course! Once you’ve looked around, pick one and buy it! 

4. Get Help if You Need It - If all of this seems overwhelming to you, you’re definitely not alone. The first time I bought a course and invested in myself I was so scared! And honestly, the times after that, too. 

With creative work, especially, it can sometimes be harder to see the value of an investment. If this is you, let me help! I do offer an 8 week program, but I also offer 1:1 coaching for writers, too. 

If you send me an email at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com telling me a little about yourself and what you want to do, I’ll give you a complimentary 30 minute session to help you figure out what you want and you can decide what’s best. Sound good? 

My challenge to you is to think about what kinds of writing skills would be valuable to you right now and take an online writing course about it. 

Have you taken an online writing course before? Used one of the options I listed? Or found something awesome you think should be on the list? I’d love to hear about your experiences and recommendations! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com! 

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing. 

4 Ways Accountability Makes Writing Goals Easier to Achieve

It’s the time again where many of us are thinking about the back to school season. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or student, school is on the mind. Even if you’re not any of these roles, you’ve probably seen the back to school section growing in the grocery and office supply stores - maybe getting some office supplies while they’re on sale. 

Who doesn’t want to stock up on penny notebooks?!

This year is different because everything is uncertain. Will teachers and students go back to face-to-face classes? Will there be more online learning opportunities and/or expectations? Will we have another outbreak of COVID-19 and have to be sent home again? No one really knows. 

This is a great time to talk about accountability because so many of us are already in the mindset of figuring out what we have to do and what we’re responsible for (even those of us with fur babies rather than human babies). 

Writing is frequently one of the things that makes it onto the “do it later” list.

As adults, we know we’re responsible - we’ll get our stuff done and move on. But many times we push off things we don’t feel we “need” to do or that “can wait” because they’re “just not that important” or other things have to take precedence. Writing is frequently one of the things that makes it onto the “do it later” list. 

Accountability

What is Accountability? 

Before we talk about why it’s so much easier to achieve your writing goals with accountability, I wanted to clarify what I mean so we’re on the same page. 

When I say accountability, I simply mean that we are treating it as a worthy investment of our time and making time to actually do it.

When I say accountability in reference to our writing, I simply mean that we are treating it as a worthy investment of our time and making time in our busy schedules to actually do it - to be accountable for making our own progress. 

A lot of times writers will keep themselves accountable by getting an accountability partner. Having someone else involved can apply a little pressure to actually do something about our writing instead of just letting it sit there like we might if there’s no one we’re “accountable” to. 

So while it’s always important to be accountable to ourselves, I will also talk a lot about the benefits of having an accountability partner. 

Accountability & writing goals

How Does Accountability Relate to Writing Goals? 

So what does all of this have to do with writing goals? 

There are several ways accountability can be good for our writing: 

Human Connection with Other Writers

While you can certainly make yourself accountable by regularly checking in with yourself, accountability also gives you a great opportunity to connect with other humans! Since writing is solitary most of the time, we can sometimes get wrapped up in our own little world. If you get an accountability partner, it’s a great way to talk about writing as a process, talk about your own project, and learn about other writers’ projects, too. 

Helps with Progress on SMART Goals

If you haven’t read my blog on SMART goals, you should because it’ll really help you clarify your own goals. Just as a quick review, though, SMART goals are: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. So when you start making accountability a priority in your writing, you’ll feel good about making progress, but you’ll also see it because you’ll be monitoring it regularly!

Makes You Actually Write

A big part of the reason writers get stuck is that we put off the actual writing. Even if we want to write, we find reasons to push it back “just a little” or even make an excuse NOT to do it. It’s kind of weird, actually.

A big part of the reason writers get stuck is that we put off the actual writing.

Weirdness aside, when you use accountability, whether to yourself or with a partner, you will actually write because at that point there’s more at stake than writing whenever you feel like it. And hey, writing because you feel like it is great! But it doesn’t always get the job done if that’s the only time you’re doing it.

Why Does Accountability Make Writing Goals Easier?

Are you starting to see why accountability is helpful to your writing? 

It can definitely be tricky, especially for those of us who feel constantly overloaded and overwhelmed by our To Do lists. 

BUT, these 4 reasons why accountability will make writing goals easier to achieve are hard to argue with.

(They really make you want to start being accountable!)

1. Lessens the pressure to be perfect

Who here struggles with that crazy idea we call perfectionism? Hi there, me too! The thing about perfectionism, besides the fact that it’s actually terrible, is that it keeps us from taking action. When we’re being accountable and making measurable progress on a regular basis, we tend to feel less pressured to be perfect because we know we just need to get it done. 

When we’re being accountable and making measurable progress on a regular basis, we tend to feel less pressured to be perfect

This is especially true if you have an accountability partner because you know you need to send it out, and you need to do it on time, so there’s no time for you to dilly-dally around with whether or not you used the right word in that one sentence in the middle of that one paragraph.

2. Forces action

If you know you’re waiting on someone to send you something, and you’re going to send something back, that compels you to take action, right? It’s the same way with accountability. You know you need to be accountable and just do the thing - if not for yourself than for your partner - so you simply do it. 

3. Built in feedback

When you’re being accountable with someone else, you can use that as a time to get feedback on an ongoing basis instead of just at the end after you’re done with everything. Getting feedback has numerous benefits, but in this context it can be super helpful because you can start implementing changes or playing with different ideas right now rather than when you’re all done with the draft. 

4. Consistent Progress

Accountability is great because it helps us make consistent progress. Not just once in a while progress, or explosive finish the whole thing in 30 days progress (unless that’s what you want to do), but instead week after week progress that’s a struggle for most of us. 

Accountability helps us make that progress we’ve been trying to get and struggled with on our own. 

The busier we get, the more writing seems to slip down the list of priorities. Accountability helps us make that progress we’ve been trying to get and struggled with on our own. 

Next Steps

Next Steps

If you’ve heard of or used accountability before, you’re probably familiar with how helpful it is! If you haven’t, I would highly recommend getting an accountability partner! You’ll find it lessens the need to be perfect, makes you take action, gets you some ongoing feedback, and allows you to make the consistent progress you want to make but have such a hard time with on your own. 

If you haven’t used accountability before, I would highly recommend getting an accountability partner!

But what do you do with this information going forward? There are several simple steps you can take. Notice I didn’t say “easy” - being accountable isn’t necessarily easy, but it IS worth it.

1. Decide what kind of accountability you need for your writing.

Do you need just a simple check-in with someone every week/two weeks/month to say “Hey, did you do this?” Or do you need someone to meet with every week and workshop new material? Or maybe something in between? Decide what you want from accountability before you try to find someone to work with. Remember, your situation is unique to you, so you know what would be most helpful - trust yourself. 

2. Find someone to be accountable with.

Whether you go with a trusted friend or a professional, make sure that whoever you want to work with will be a) honest and b) tell you what you need to hear, even if it’s not what you want to hear. This generally means try to find another writer. 

If you are interested in working with me, I offer 1:1 accountability sessions for just this reason. A lot of writers don’t have other writers in their life to do this with, at least not friends who they are close enough with to feel comfortable working with in this way. 

I’ve been a writer and writing teacher for years, and I’ve seen almost everything in writing. I’m always going to be honest, but I will always be kind about it. If this sounds like something you want to investigate more, click here to read more about some of the services I offer along with accountability. 

3. Ask them to help you

Once you’ve decided on someone you want to be accountability partners with, ask them if they would be willing! I’ve found that most people are willing to help if they can, but don't assume anything before you ask.

4. Be accountable!

Once you’ve found your person, get writing and be accountable! And, if you decide you don’t want to find an accountability partner, set up regular check-ins with yourself about your writing so that you can be accountable to yourself. 

My challenge to you is to find an accountability partner before your next writing session and ask if they’re willing to work with you. 

Have you had an accountability partner before? How did it go? Or have you used another version of accountability? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@captuingyourconfidence.com! 

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing. 

Book Review: You are a Badass by Jen Sincero (2013)

I don’t do book reviews too often because, anymore, I read faster than I can review. This book is a must review for me, though, because I think it will be a powerful tool for you. 

Overview

Jen Sincero’s first book, You are a Badass: How to Stop Doubting Your Greatness and Start Living an Awesome Life, is pretty dang empowering. It’s not quite like other self-help books because it doesn’t take a lot of time to do the “feel good” shmoozing we’re used to. BUT, even through the blunt advice (said in a loving way), the message is still to love yourself because you’re worth it. The book itself is pretty badass. 

Content & Message

The overarching goal of the book is: “to help you get where you want to go.” In her unique voice, Sincero follows that up by noting, “I’m going to ask you to roll  with some pretty out-there things throughout this book, and I want to encourage you to have an open mind. No, on second thought, I want to yell in your face about it: STAY OPEN OR YOU ARE SCREWED.” 

At first you might think, “Okay, Jen, sure.”

But this book is 244 pages of real, badass advice. It’s broken down into 5 parts and a Resources section at the end. During each chapter, Sincero gives examples from her own life that show that she has made this journey she’s taking you on. She’s a human being who’s vulnerable just like we are and she talks to readers on a human level, which is refreshing. 

This book is 244 pages of real, badass advice.

It’s not about getting advice from someone who has all her shit together. It’s about letting someone who knows what you’re going through, and sincerely wants to help you, be a guide using a little tough love and profanity.

After Part 1, which is mainly just informative, the chapters from the other parts begin to have actionable steps to take. Sometimes there are affirmations to practice, or an exercise to stop and do where it’s most helpful. The book is designed not just to keep you reading, but also doing the personal work along the way. 

Each chapter ends with a numbered list of ways to start improving your life and begin making it a little more badass. The final point in every list is to love yourself because you are worth it, plain and simple. 

Biggest Takeaway

The biggest takeaway, as you might expect, is that through loving yourself you can make your own life badass. You don’t need to wait on things to come to you - by believing in yourself and unpacking all the crap you’ve collected that’s holding you back, you can be a badass with an awesome life. We all can.

Overall Impressions

I will be the first to admit that I have NEVER been a person who’s like self-help books. Or any type of nonfiction book, really. But when I started building my business, I needed to start branching out - taking some chances on new things. 

Who doesn’t want to be told over and over again that they can do it?

This whole trend started, for me, with Everything is Figureoutable by Marie Forleo, which I actually pre-ordered because I was so excited. You can read my review of it here. After that, I was in love because it’s not just reading. It’s action. It’s positivity. It’s successful people knowing that I, too, can be like them (and after writing that it seems kind of lame. But you know what? I stand by it!)

I stumbled across You are a Badass at the end of last year and put it in the Amazon cart. Where it sat for months and months. But I finally purchased it at the beginning of the year. I’m not kidding that I read it in less than a week. I couldn’t put it down! 

Since then, I’ve purchased her other two books and I will preorder her new book that’s coming out soon. And I’ll love all of them because I’m hooked. I think if you give it a chance, you will be, too.

Why Writers Need this Book

This is a great book for everyone, but writers can specifically benefit from it because it begins to create a new version of success in our minds and starts pushing out that old stale mindset of success & failure. 

It’s also just a huge confidence boost, which I find helps most writers and creatives! After all, who doesn’t want to be told over and over again that they can do it.

Next Steps

There are a few steps to take next: 

1. Get the book here. (Or here or here). Better yet, check your local library! Easy peasy.

2. Read the book & do the exercises. I bet you’ll fly through it and want more. Try it and see!

3. Practice your new badass mindset. This has been so fun! Honestly, sometimes with new mindsets it’s hard or almost feels like a drag to learn. But THIS, this is like being a better, less scared version of you. Super empowering, and honestly just a good experience all around. You’ll notice a difference right away. 

4. Get Help if You Need It If you read the book and aren’t sure where to start, or if it gets you fired up to start RIGHT NOW (this happened to me), I can help! I work with writers just like you to plan & strategize their writing projects. I am also a confidence coach, which means that I am constantly empowering and encouraging my clients and other writers - with less profanity. If you’re intrigued or READY TO GO, you can click here to read more about my 1:1 services. Let’s get you that badass life you want!

My challenge to you is to read the book with an open mind and take action right away. 

Have you read the book? What did you think? What was your favorite part? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@captuingyourconfidence.com! 

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing.

Interview with an Author: Angela Jackson-Brown

Our July guest author is Angela Jackson-Brown. Keep reading all the way through for a giveaway opportunity with her new book!

Angela Jackson-Brown is an award winning writer, poet and playwright who teaches Creative Writing and English at Ball State University in Muncie, IN. She is a graduate of Troy University, Auburn University and the Spalding low-residency MFA program in Creative Writing.

She is the author of the novel Drinking From A Bitter Cup and has published in numerous literary journals.  Angela’s play, Anna’s Wings, was selected in 2016 to be a part of the IndyFringe DivaFest and her play, Flossie Bailey Takes a Stand, was part of the Indiana Bicentennial Celebration at the Indiana Repertory Theatre.

She also wrote and produced the play It Is Well and she was the co-playwright with Ashya Thomas on a play called Black Lives Matter (Too). In the spring of 2018, Angela co-wrote a musical with her colleague, Peter Davis, called Dear Bobby: The Musical, that was part of the 2018 OnyxFest in Indianapolis, IN.

Her book of poetry called House Repairs was published by Negative Capability Press in the fall of 2018, and in the fall of 2019, she directed and produced a play she wrote called Still Singing Those Weary Blues. Her new novel, When Stars Rain Down, to be published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins, is forthcoming in 2021.

Tell us a little about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I have dreamed about writing stories since I was first able to hold a crayon in my chubby little hands. I would write the words I knew how to spell and then I would get my daddy to write the “big words” in my head. I would put on elaborate shows with my baby dolls, creating alternate universes before I even knew that was what I was doing.

Was there a certain point you remember where you felt empowered to call yourself a writer? Or have you always felt like you were a writer?

I felt empowered to call myself a writer when I saw Maya Angelou’s face on the back of her book, I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings. Up until that point, I honestly didn’t know Black people wrote books. Yes, I was empowered by Laura Ingalls Wilder’s books and Louisa May Alcott’s books, but those characters didn’t speak to my experiences as a little Black girl from rural Alabama.

When my first Black teacher, Mrs. Kennedy, showed me Dr. Angelou’s book, I felt free to be me and truly step into the idea that being a writer was a possibility for me.

So, for the longest time, I just thought my scribblings were strange or different and not reflective of what my reality could be. When my first Black teacher, Mrs. Kennedy, showed me Dr. Angelou’s book, I felt free to be me and truly step into the idea that being a writer was a possibility for me. After discovering Maya Angelou, I went on a quest to discover other Black writers like Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, Zora Neale Hurston, and the list goes on and on. All of these writers fed into my desire to write as well.

Where did your idea for your novel, Drinking from a Bitter Cup come from?

This novel was personal. Although it was fictional, so much of what the protagonist, Sylvia Butler, experienced, mirrored my own. This book was truly me “writing what I knew” as opposed to writing a story about someone whose life experiences were radically different than my own. I even set the story in places I knew like my hometown of Ariton, AL and surrounding towns like Ozark and Dothan. I felt safe writing about those places because they were so real to me.

What inspired your poetry collection House Repairs?

House Repairsis my autobiography in verse. Poetry, for me, has always centered around my pain, and in some cases, my happiness; but it always represented my emotions on steroids. So these poems span my lifetime. I don’t know if I will ever have another poetry collection because these poems seemed to tell everything I had in me to tell about my life experiences and my view on life in general.

Poetry, for me, has always centered around my pain, and in some cases, my happiness; but it always represented my emotions on steroids.

I wrote about being given up for adoption. I wrote about being adopted by a woman who didn’t ever truly “see me.” I wrote about a loveless marriage, and finding love for the first time. I wrote about my phenomenal son and about my journey to self-love and self-discovery. So, I ask myself, what is there left to say about Angela? It’s all in this book.

Describe your writing and/or creative process.

Because so much of my writing now revolves around contracts and deadlines, I try to be a very disciplined writer. I still find the pleasure in writing because with or without a contract, I would still write. But now that I know that writing is also my “business,” I have to treat it as such, which means I schedule my writing into my day and I keep my butt in the seat until I accomplish what needs to be accomplished for that day.

I write with an outline, which allows me to stay focused. I always start with the research…sometimes spending months getting to know my characters and researching the historical details I need to make my stories resonate with an audience.

What creative or procedural differences, if any, are there between working on a novel versus a poetry collection?

For me, my poetry has always been emotion driven. It is seldom that I can just sit down and write a poem. Usually something happens or some memory is triggered and as a result of that, I write. With the novels, I am far more tactical. I can get an idea, and then plan out. I still utilize emotions, obviously, but the emotions are far more in check with the novel writing than with the poetry writing.

Was there any research involved in your creative works? If so, could you tell us about how that occurred and how it was (or not) different from academic research?

There is always research involved in my writing. Whether it be about the current events taking place when my novel is set, or researching what clothes my characters would be writing, or what restaurants or department stores they might eat or shop at in the book. I always begin my process with research because it allows my stories to feel more real to me, which means they will feel more real to my readers.

I don’t know how any writer can write without doing an extensive amount of research. The research is what makes the stories real.

Academic writing for me has always felt a little distant or esoteric. Even as I did the research for academic papers, I never really felt connected to the research like I do when I am researching details for a short story or a novel or even for a historically based poem. I don’t know how any writer can write without doing an extensive amount of research. The research is what makes the stories real.

Describe your biggest writing obstacle(s) and how you overcame it.

I am my biggest writing obstacle. I know people talk a lot about “the muse” or “writer’s block” but I truly think those are constructs that writers come up with to absolve themselves from the fact that they are the ones who either jump start or stall their writing process. On the days when my writing is not working for me, I know it is usually because I didn’t do the work necessary to get myself into a good writing space.

Sometimes that means getting good rest or making sure my writing environment is conducive to good writing (clean desk, candles, no distractions, etc.). Other times it means I do the work ahead of time like outlining or free-writing so that I can actually connect with my characters on an intimate level.

Could you talk a little bit about the publishing process? How does it work, how long it typically takes, etc.

The publishing process is different for every project and really it depends on who your publisher happens to be. My first book, Drinking from a Bitter Cup, was published by a small publishing house called WiDo. They are a family owned publishing house and I was able to pitch my book project to them without an agent. I did not receive an advance from them and I was responsible for the marketing of my book. They handled the editing and distribution, but I had to be the one to make sure my book got the attention it needed.

The publishing process is different for every project and really it depends on who your publisher happens to be.

Likewise, when I published my book of poetry, I published with a small press called Negative Capability Press. They consisted of a handful of people,so again, I had to be responsible for getting out and promoting my book, which is the case with any publisher, but the larger the publishing house the more likely you will have financial support from them to promote your book in a significant way.

My upcoming novel is going to be published by Thomas Nelson, an imprint of HarperCollins. I was fortunate enough to get an advance that allowed me to go from teaching full-time to part-time for the next year or so. This is invaluable because it frees up my time to be able to give sustained attention to writing my next book and promoting the book coming out in the spring of next year. So, receiving an advance is one big difference but I also had a phenomenal agent this time around, Alice Speilburg, who fought for me, and because of her diligence, I can take some time to just focus on being a writer. 

Since you have published work in more than one genre, how do you decide which creative project to work on next?

Deadlines are driving me right now. I just submitted my revised draft of my next book to my editor at Thomas Nelson, and I am working on completing my second novel with them. AND I am working on a book proposal for a nonfiction book that my agent will be pitching in the next few months. But all of those projects are driven by deadlines. I have to finish things on time in order to keep up on all of these writing projects I am juggling.

What is the part of your published work(s) or writing process you are most proud of?

I am most proud of my drive. I deal with a lot of anxiety and depression, and yet I have found ways to write myself through and around both of those demons. I taught myself from an early age that my emotions are not the boss of me. Of course I have bad days, and of course there are days when the writing is not easy to access, but I never give up trying. I always strive to at least put one word on the page.

I taught myself from an early age that my emotions are not the boss of me.

My mentor/friend, Katy Yocom said, “Strive to write one sentence per day. That way you know you will always have an attainable goal.” That is what I do. Most days, I do much more than that, but if I don’t, I still know I had a good writing day. I think that is why I can write while in the midst of a panic attack. I can channel good energy when I need it. If I couldn’t do those things, I wouldn’t finish any of my projects.

Tell us a little bit about your forthcoming two-book series that was just announced? How exciting!

Thank you for asking. My next book is called When Stars Rain Down and my book after that is tentatively titled Political Choices. I am excited to work with the incredible HarperCollins team. It has been a dream come true so far. Both books involve characters from the fictional town of Parsons, Georgia. When Stars Rain Down is about a soon-to-be eighteen year old Black girl called Opal Pruitt. Through Opal’s eyes we get to see the racial disharmony and the sense of community that exists in Parsons.

The story is set in the summer of 1936 during a terrible drought. The lack of rain, the hot weather, the fiery tempers all culminate in a racist explosion that affects the Black and white community for generations to come. The second novel is still a work-in-progress but it involves one of the minor characters mentioned in When Stars Rain Down. It is a political drama and a love story. It also tries to address and acknowledge some of the racial disharmony referenced in When Stars Rain Down.

How do you typically promote your work and find your audience?

I have a strong presence on social media, so that is one way that I connect with my audience. Social media has become an invaluable tool for writers to reach audiences that before they may not have reached. Also, I depend on word of mouth. I actively seek out opportunities to speak or teach and then, there are wonderful people like you who give me a platform to share and talk about what I do. So to you, I say, thank you. We couldn’t do what we do without bloggers and other social media advocates.

Social media has become an invaluable tool for writers to reach audiences that before they may not have reached.

What do you want the world to know about you as an author?

I want them to know that I take the written word very seriously. I labor over every word, every phrase, every sentence, and every paragraph. I think about my readers and try to give them a story that will sit there in spirit long after they read the final page. If I can do that, then I know my writing was not done in vain.

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

Write because you can’t imagine not writing. Writing for publication is a good goal, but your primary goal should be you write because it frees your soul.

To Enter the Giveaway

1. Pre-Order Angela's book, When Stars Rain Down here to be entered to win a $50 gift certificate at Irvington Vinyl & Books!

2. Sign up below to be entered to win FREE access to my brand new 8 week intensive writing program launching in September AND FREE 1:1 writing & creative confidence coaching from me!

If you would like to purchase Angela Jackson-Brown's novel, Drinking from a Bitter Cup, you can find a copy here.

If you would like to purchase Angela Jackson-Brown's poetry collection, House Repairs, you can find a copy here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com!

3 Easy Ways to Add Creativity to Your Writing

This month’s theme is bravery and facing our fears, so what a better way to talk about that than a deep dive discussion of creativity - where everything starts for writers!

What is Creativity? 

Have you ever actually thought about what creativity means? I’ll be honest, I hadn’t really until quite recently because it’s kind of something that seems to naturally happen. 

Does it feel like that for you, too? 

It’s funny because when I was young, I would ask my mom what a word meant and she would send me straight to the dictionary to read for myself. I hated it! But now when I think about abstract concepts like creativity, I appreciate her stance because I love looking up words. 

So that’s what I did. 

According to the dictionary, creativity is, “the ability to use and produce or use original or unusual ideas.” 

Your idea can be unusual - a new twist. A creative take. 

I think what surprised me the most was the word unusual, because as writers, we’re pretty familiar with what an original idea is, right? But unusual is not something we typically think of. I love it, though. Because I’m sorry to say, but the chances of finding a truly original idea are slim. 

That doesn’t mean you can’t have a good or worthy idea that has been used in a different way, though. Your idea can be unusual - a new twist. A creative take. 

Need Creativity

Why Do We Need Creativity?

Over the years it’s become abundantly clear that creativity is not only important, but something we NEED in a non-negotiable way. 

We need creativity for 3 main reasons: 

Expresses Our Imagination

Those of us who live creatively for most of our lives understand the need to express our imagination somehow. Whether through writing, painting, sculpting, composing - whatever it is that fulfills your desire to create. It allows us to get out of our own head and let out our innermost thoughts and dreams, even if (or maybe especially when) they seem nonsensical. 

Makes Life Exciting

Can you imagine life without books and music, or even video games? Someone dreamed up and created all those things! When we express creativity we make our lives exciting. We learn, we create beautiful fun things that never existed before. 

When we express creativity we make our lives exciting.

Creates Positive Change

Everything humans have ever invented has taken creativity to think it up and put into action. The wheel? Lights? Electricity? The internet? All started out as an idea in someone’s mind. And when they came to existence it made our lives easier and better! Innovation and unusual ideas are often the very same ones that create the best changes. 

Use Creativity

What Happens When We’re Creative? 

I think it’s safe to say that every writer has had a creative idea, and probably also a moment they remember when they figured out what they wanted to do with it. Or at least what they thought they wanted to do with it. 

Sometimes writing is an unwieldy beast that takes on a life of its own, so it may not always turn out exactly how we think it will.

Sometimes writing is an unwieldy beast that takes on a life of its own, so it may not always turn out exactly how we think it will. A prime example of how creativity works for writers! 

When writers are in a great creative zone, though, there are several awesome things that happen: 

Write More

We write MORE, and sometimes faster! When we have that unusual idea and we’re so excited because we know it’s creative, we want to dive in and write all the things we can about it. Creativity is an amazing catalyst for writing (we don’t have to mention the secret fear that we will almost immediately forget that brilliant idea.) 

Creativity is an amazing catalyst for writing.

Write with More Confidence

When we feel creative - sometimes we call it being inspired - we tend to write more confidently. We don’t question that dumb thing the villain just said to the hero. We don’t waffle over that one sentence in that one paragraph that seems weird. And you know why? We’re ready to move on the idea now - we don’t have time to worry about the small things. Plus, we can always come back to later. 

Take Risks in Our Writing

Last, but certainly not least, is that because we’re writing more, and confidently, we take risks. We might try a new form, or write an inappropriate innuendo when we never “normally” do that because normal is kind of thrown out the window for this particular creative idea.

Heck, if you would have told me 10 years ago that I would be writing a YA novel I would have laughed. But I had the one spark of an idea that stuck around and here we are! Best risk I’ve taken in my writing, hands down. Wouldn’t have happened without creativity!

3 Ways to Add Creativity to Your Writing

3 Easy Ways to Add Creativity to Your Writing

I say this as lovingly as possible, but sometimes we get into a rut with our writing, even when we do feel creative and inspired. We get to a place where it “makes sense” for our characters to say their catch phrase again, or do their oddball mannerism, even when average humans might react differently. 

Creativity is all about being innovative and unusual, and so sometimes we need to make an effort to spice things up in our writing.

Creativity is all about being innovative and unusual, and so sometimes we need to make an effort to spice things up in our writing - kick start that innovative idea so we remember to write like we started and not how we “think we should.”

Here are 3 easy things you can try if you’re feeling like your writing might need some creativity and pizzazz: 

Add Description 

This idea doesn’t sound innovative at all when it’s listed in a discussion of creativity, but in writing, description is what allows readers to imagine the people and surroundings and paint that picture in their minds. Good description can be epic. 

So to get your creative wheels turning, try describing a specific place within your story world. Whether that’s your main character’s favorite spot, a villain’s lair, or even a firsthand account of what the main character sees when they wake up in the morning - take some time and paint that picture with words. 

Good description can be epic. 

You can also describe an odd facial expression. This is one of my favorites, not just because I enjoy facial expressions, but also because it’s tricky! It really challenges you to think about the way we talk about people’s faces and the way they move. As someone with a very expressional face, an expression definitely does not always feel the same as it looks to someone else! 

You can also describe an event from the point of view of someone who wasn’t there. For example, your main character’s best friend witnessed something crazy on the subway and relays it to your main character. Try to write the subway scene again, but have your main character telling someone else about it. This will challenge you to think about memory and detail in a different way. 

Have a Conversation with Your Main Character

This is probably my favorite of all the activities because I like to chat. It’s incredibly helpful for creativity, though, because really, while I do write the story, it’s the characters’ story not mine. So, when I’m stuck, I have a conversation with them. 

There’s lots of different things you could ask, but I like to ask what they want to do. So, I pose the question and then think about what my main character would say if I met her in real life. Sometimes she’s sassy (because when do I write women characters that aren’t), but more often than not she’s helpful. Thinking about her from this aspect breaks me out of the mindset of what I have to do as the writer and focus more on what she needs to do as a character. 

While I write the story, it’s the characters’ story not mine. So, when I’m stuck, I have a conversation with them. 

You can also ask your main character what they like about their story. Now, if you’re in a Game of Thrones situation where everyone keeps dying this might be harder! But for most of us, you might be surprised what kinds of memories you can think of from your characters’ point of view. Chances are, they will probably like similar things that you enjoyed writing. Or maybe they like the complete opposites! 

On the flip side, you can also ask them what’s boring about their story. This is super helpful if you’re not sold on an idea because if your main character thinks their own story is boring, there’s a possibility that everyone else might also think that, too. Or maybe it’s just the way it was written. Either way, you can use the thoughts of your main character to fine tune how you talk about their world. 

Write a Fun(ny) Scene with Your Main Character

This activity is a fun one because you’re getting to laugh, and you’re doing it on purpose. Write something funny or just really fun with your main character. Take them to an amusement park, or on a road trip. Or an experience so funny they snorted coffee out their nose. 

Write a fun or funny scene even if it’s not part of the plot. Not everything you write will make it into a final draft, and that’s okay! Thinking outside the box will help get your creativity going, even if your character isn’t going to do it during the main action of the story.

Can you really say you’re not feeling creative if you’re imagining the kind of curtains mole-people would have in their house holes? NOPE.

Write something fun or funny with your main character even if it’s utter nonsense. You want her to grow wings and fly like an eagle over her town? Go for it! Dig under the ground and start a community of mole-like people? Have at it.  It doesn’t matter if it’s the craziest thing you ever thought - it might not even be part of the story! But can you really say you’re not feeling creative if you’re imagining the kind of curtains mole-people would have in their house holes? NOPE.

These funny scenes are to help you get going, so they don’t even have to actually happen! If you end up loving it and want to make it part of the book, you can always make it part of a scene where your main character dreams it. Easy peasy, but also super fun. 

Next Steps

Creativity is necessary for all of us! As writers, we’re pretty familiar with the feeling, but even when we’re trying it can be hard sometimes. That’s when you can break out the easy strategies and add some description, talk to your main character, and/or write a fun scene starring them. 

Creativity is necessary for all of us!

The cool thing is, you don’t even have to be stuck or have a work in progress to try these ideas! You can use them at any point to kick start your creativity. 

Now that you have these tools, what do you do with them? 

1. Read your current work in progress Go read what you’ve been working on and see how it feels to you. If you don’t yet have a work in progress, try doing one of the strategies to start a new project!

2. Try one of the 3 ways to get your creativity flowing! Have some fun with your writing and try out the strategies! You’ll have fun, you’ll be writing, and all will be well with your creativity. 

3. Get Help if You Need It If you love the idea of these strategies and want to work on them further with someone else, I can help! Click here to read more about how I work 1:1 with writers like you to brainstorm, plan, and be an accountability partner (who gives funny comments) to help them make the progress on their writing that they’ve been dreaming about.

My challenge to you is to try one of these strategies during your next writing session. 

Have you used one of these activities before? Or have you found something else that jumpstarts creativity? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@captuingyourconfidence.com! 

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing. 

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3 Reasons SMART Goals Work for Writers

Now that it’s the second half of 2020, you might be thinking about your goals. I know I am! It feels like last time I blinked I was setting my ORIGINAL 2020 goals. 

Unbeknownst to all of us, this year has been a wild ride! 

We’ve had a pandemic, killer bees (for a hot minute), and the quick growth of a major social & civil movement.

While the whole world has been at home for 5 months, our priorities have shifted, to say the least.

While the whole world has been at home for 5 months, our priorities have shifted, to say the least. We’re living in a different world than we did at the beginning of this year, so it makes sense that we might need to adjust our goals now so we can finish out the year with some semblance of sanity.

At least that’s how I feel at this point.  

How do you feel? Are you ready to think about how to set achievable goals for the rest of this year? Heck, maybe even the rest of this month? 

SMART Goals definition

What is a SMART Goal?

Last time I talked about setting goals was way back in January when I told you I don’t set resolutions. Since we’ve had all of these changes, I’m sure glad I didn’t! 

But while I talked about how to set goals, I didn’t include the SMART system. I typically like to be a little more holistic with my goals, but under the present circumstances, the SMART goal is pretty dang appealing. 

Here are the elements of a SMART goal:

SMART Goal Element 1: Specific

Make your goals simple, specific, and clear. 

To help you be specific, remember the 5 “W”s (and an H) most of us learned in writing class all those years ago: 

Who needs to be involved to make the goal happen?

What do I need to achieve? 

When do I need to complete this goal? (More on this in the time-bound step.)

Where do I need to be to complete the goal? (i.e. Do I have to be in a specific place?)

Why is this goal important to me?

How will I complete the goal? Will I have to contend with limited resources?

SMART Goal Element 2: Measurable

Make sure your goals are measurable - that you actually have a way to tell when you’re making progress and when it has been completed. 

Ask yourself questions like: 

How will I be able to tell I’ve made progress? 

How will I know the goal is achieved? 

SMART Goal Element 3: Achievable

This part is super important - we don’t want to set goals we can’t complete! Your goal should test your limits, but should be something you can actually achieve. 

Ask yourself questions like:

Do I have limited resources to achieve this goal? For instance, money or time.

What are the concrete steps I need to take to make this goal a reality? 

SMART Goal Element 4: Relevant

This goal isn’t going to be the only one in your life, so it’s important it relates to other things you’re working on, too.

For instance, you don’t want to set seemingly opposing goals like “I want to learn to relax more” and “I want to get a second job to make more money.” It’s probably going to be hard to relax more if you’re also working more.

Ask yourself questions like:

Does the timing of this goal fit the other needs in my life?

How does this fit in with the other goals in my life? 

SMART Goal Element 5: Time-Bound

For most of us, our natural instinct is to do things “when we can,” but this is not a great mindset for achieving goals. In order to make progress and achieve our goals, it’s important to set a deadline for ourselves so we actually work on it. 

Ask yourself questions like: 

What can I start doing today to work on this goal?

When will I work on this goal every week/month/quarter? 

When do I want to have the goal completely accomplished? 

The foundation of the SMART goal system  was developed by many talented individuals in the organizational performance field.

The foundation of the SMART goal system  was developed by many talented individuals in the organizational performance field; however, George T. Doran was the first one to name the SMART & write it down as such in 1981.

Can we take a moment to say thank you to George and those before him who developed these ideas?!

The particularly appealing parts of SMART goals, for me, are the measurable & time-bound pieces. It can be hard to quantify our creative life using these parameters, but it’s also incredibly doable and empowering!

What’s the Difference Between a “Regular” Goal & a SMART Goal?

Before we dive into why SMART goals are a fantastic tool for writers, I wanted to touch on what makes a SMART goal different from a “regular” everyday goal. 

The things that are most different between goals and SMART goals:

Specific

No one means to set a vague goal, at least not most people. But because the SMART goal asks you to be hyper-specific, it means that you can actually see progress and that you can actually accomplish the goal. 

Instead of a goal like “I want to be a better person,” which is good but vague, a SMART goal might say something like “I want to volunteer at lthe local food bank to become a more helpful citizen in my community.”

Measurable

It’s great to have big goals - I preach that over and over! - but it’s less of a goal (and more of a dream) when you can’t measure what’s happening. 

We need that deadline to encourage us to actually do the work and get the goal completed. 

Using the same example from above, “I want to be a better person,” a SMART goal would be more measurable if it said, “I will become a more helpful citizen in my community by volunteering at the local food bank so I can meet people with different life experiences and learn from them.”

The SMART goal here can be measured by the hours volunteered and the amount the individual purposefully interacts with the people s/he is serving. 

Time Element

The time element is probably the most helpful part about SMART goals, at least for people like me who struggle to balance all the priorities life has in store for us. We need that deadline to encourage us to actually do the work and get the goal completed.

In the example above, “I want to be a better person,” the SMART goal with a time element might look like, “I will volunteer at the local food bank once a week for the next 6 months so I can meet people with different life experiences and learn from them.”

Why Do SMART Goals Work So Well for Writers? 

First of all, are you as excited about SMART goals as I am? I hope so! If not, that’s okay, too. That doesn’t mean they aren’t incredibly helpful for writers just like you!

Why does this system work for writers? 

First, you can actually see progress as you write because the goals are measurable. As you’re working on your writing goals and doing the writing, you can see your progress on the page.

Setting a deadline creates the kind of pressure that encourages you to finish your epic fantasy novel at all instead of just letting it sit in a file cabinet by your desk.

Second, you’re creating accountability to yourself. By setting a deadline, and maybe telling someone about it, you create a situation in which you need to be accountable to actually doing what you set out to do. You also know going in that your goal is achievable, which makes checking your progress pleasant instead of something you dread.

Finally, setting a deadline and having measurable progress creates a little pressure! Not the kind that says you have to finish your 1,000+ page epic fantasy novel in 90 days, but the kind that encourages you to finish your epic fantasy novel at all instead of just letting it sit in a file cabinet by your desk.

How Can Writers Set SMART Goals? 

The first time I read about SMART goals I was not sold on how this could relate to anything creative because at first glance it doesn’t seem like it leaves a lot of room for creativity. 

But the more I read about them, and the more goals I set, SMART and “regular,” the more I’ve realized SMART goals are DEFINITELY the way to go with writing! 

The more I read about them, and the more goals I set, the more I’ve realized SMART goals are definitely the way to go with writing! 

If you, like me, are wondering what that looks like, I wanted to walk through an example because it can be tough to see how creativity can be measurable or relevant when you’re first starting out. 

I also created a worksheet to help you out! I figured since I muddled through it I could make it easier for you. You can get that by clicking here.

So, let’s start with the basic goal of “starting and completing a writing project” and walk through the steps to make it SMART. 

Writing SMART Goal Step 1: Specific

Starting: Starting and completing a writing project

SMART: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel.

Writing SMART Goal Step 2: Measurable

Start: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel. 

SMART: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel by creating an outline and writing one chapter at a time.

Writing SMART Goal Step 3: Achievable

Start:  I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel by creating an outline and writing one chapter at a time.

SMART: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel by creating an outline and writing one chapter per week.

Writing SMART Goal Step 4: Relevant

Start: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel by creating an outline and writing one chapter per week.

SMART: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel by creating an outline and writing one chapter per week, which will allow me to still have time to spend with my family and work on other creative projects. 

Writing SMART Goal Step 5: Time-Bound

Start: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel by creating an outline and writing one chapter per week, which will allow me to still have time to spend with my family and work on other creative projects. 

SMART: I will start brainstorming and completely finish the first draft of my YA novel within the next 6 months by creating an outline and writing one chapter per week, which will allow me to still have time to spend with my family and work on other creative projects.

Do you see how SMART goals could help you with your writing?

Do you see how SMART goals could help you with your writing? It seems like it would be counter intuitive to structure your creativity, but as it turns out, having deadlines and being able to see progress is actually a huge and positive game-changer.

Next steps

Next Steps

Now that you know why SMART goals work for writers, what are you going to do with that info? 

There are multiple steps you can take: 

1.Download the free Writing SMART Goals Worksheet! It’s almost always helpful when someone else builds a fill-in-the-blank worksheet to help us take action, and I’m so excited to give you another tool! It’s a pretty sweet setup, if I do say so myself, and I am going to be using it to set my own SMART goals this month as we finish out 2020. 

If you want the SMART goals worksheet, click here or fill out the form below to get your worksheet for free right now. What’s the worst that could happen? 

2. Set Some SMART goals Take some time and use the worksheet to set brand new shiny SMART goals! Or, take your goals from the beginning of 2020 and revamp them SMART style. 

3. Practice Being Accountable Once you’ve gotten your SMART goals written (and posted where you’ll look at them every day), practice making measurable progress on them every day/week/month. Whatever goal you set, keep showing up to do the work and being accountable to yourself. 

4. Get Help if You Need It If you are struggling with setting goals for your writing, or you just want some help, I can be that person for you. Click here to read more about how I work 1:1 with writers like you to set goals, strategize, and be an accountability partner for their writing projects. 

My challenge to you is to take action today. Get the worksheet and take a few minutes TODAY to set a SMART goal for your writing. 

Have you heard of or used SMART goals before? Did you use the worksheet to set new SMART goals? I’d love to hear about your goal-setting process! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com! 

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing. 

5 Simple Steps to Stop Feeling Like a Failure in Your Writing

I’ve read a lot lately about and from writers feeling like a failure in their writing. The questions are typically: 

Is this normal? 

What do I do? 

How do I keep writing? OR How can I get back to writing?

How do I make this go away?

I totally get it because I’ve been that person. I’ve set writing goals that I pretty much watched fly by and said “Well, that sucks. Now what do I do? How do I get back on track?”

The amazing thing about writing is that it’s very much a process. It’s a cycle we go through, so even when something happens that pushes us out of our normal writing habits, we always have the option to dive back in. 

The amazing thing about writing is that it’s very much a process.

The big question is how to be confident doing that when we really feel like we failed. Or that we are a failure as a writer.

Why Do We Feel Like a Failure in Our Writing?

There are several places where fear of failure develops from:

• School/Education

• Bad Experiences

• Media Portrayal of Writers & Writing

• Incorrect Impressions of Failure & Success

If you’re interested in reading more about how each of these plays a huge role in why writers have negative writing thoughts, check this out. 

At the same time we’re developing this fear of failure, we’re also forming our vision of what success looks like. As children, we start off with wonderment when we can do things like color in the lines in our favorite coloring book - it’s a great success! Gradually as we get older, we stop celebrating these small victories and only celebrate events like weddings or birthdays (and sometimes we sadly even forget or skip those). 

The truth is, though, that anytime you make progress it’s a success.

The truth is, though, that anytime you make progress it’s a success. Small progress is still progress! It’s not a one size fits all scenario. 

Between our fear of failure and our weird relationship with success, it can be a huge struggle to figure out how to feel balanced with our writing. It can certainly make us feel like we’re failing as writers and creatives.

Sometimes we also feel like failures without the fear aspect. We’ve done something already but it’s just “not good.” Or maybe we tried to finish a project and we couldn't and we don’t know why. 

For writers, feeling like a failure often comes from things like:  

• Missing a deadline

• Not being able to follow through on a creative idea

• Having an idea and not knowing where to start.

While they often feel like the end of the world, these events are all temporary. They all have a fix or a workaround. None of these things defines a writer unless it becomes a regular habit. And, if/when that bad habit occurs, it’s usually because of an already existing notion of failure we developed long before now. 

Our feeling of failure begins to merge with a fear of failure that’s been with us since we were kids. 

It can become a vicious cycle! If we can’t achieve a “big” success milestone with our writing (or if we do but it’s not fast enough) , we often internalize that as a permanent part of who we are instead of recognizing it as a one time event. So our feeling of failure begins to merge with a fear of failure that’s been with us since we were kids. 

How crazy is that?! It’s super disheartening, to say the least. 

An important truth: Failure is an event, not a person. YOU cannot be a failure because you are a person. 

The great reality about failures is that they come and go. As much as we are uncomfortable in the moment, and the following moments, tomorrow is a new day - a new chance to learn and grow.

How Do We Change Our Feelings about Failure? 

If you’re reading this and you’ve felt like a failure in your writing (especially recently), I’ve got good news for you!

You can change it! 

Let me tell you how. 

There are 5 simple steps you can follow to start getting your writing and creative confidence back today. Because these steps work so well (I use them in my own writing life!), I created a pretty great checklist for you so that you can use them over and over again. You can get that here.

But, more on the steps! They are:

Step 1: Acknowledge Your Feelings & Write Them Down

We all have feelings because we’re people, so whether or not you like it or want to admit it, you have some kind of feelings about writing. The first thing you need to do to stop feeling like a failure is to acknowledge that your feelings not only exist, but are legitimate. You’re allowed to feel like that. 

Let yourself think about it and write those feelings down on a piece of paper.

So let yourself think about it and write those feelings down on a piece of paper. Don’t sugar coat it, either. You’re not doing yourself any favors by not acknowledging how you actually feel. 

I know it’s hard, and for some people who aren’t open about their feelings, it might feel weird or embarrassing. I’ll reassure you here that it’s NOT, but in the case you feel like that (your feelings are valid!), I won’t tell anyone you’re writing down your feelings as long as you actually do it so you can help yourself. 

Deal?

Step 2: Figure Out the “Why” of Your Feelings

Once you’ve written down your feelings, you need to dig in and find out why you feel like that. The biggest places negative feelings usually come from are comments that have been made to us by other people and experiences we’ve had. These aren’t the only places, but they’re definitely on the top 3. 

Knowing this, really take the time to think about why you feel like this about your writing. Keep in mind that this might be a little painful, so tread softly, but be truthful with yourself so that you can begin to heal from this feeling of failure. You still don’t need to tell anyone about it if you don’t want or aren’t comfortable - do it for yourself.

Step 3: Shift Your Mindset to Believe in Success

You’re doing great! 

This stuff is far from easy, but I can tell you’re invested in yourself. And you are SO worth that investment! Since you’ve already figured out how you feel and why, you now need to start shifting how you think about failure. 

To shift your thinking, you need to decide what you could think about your writing and creativity that’s positive.

We now know that failure is an event and not a person, which means you can’t be a failure. To shift your thinking, you need to decide what you could think about your writing and creativity that’s positive. How do you want to think about these important aspects of your life? You know what you felt before, but what could you think instead?

Step 4: Practice Your Success Mindset

Since you have these shiny new thoughts about your writing & creativity, it’s time to put them to action! Practice does make perfect, right? Or so they say. 

While we don’t need perfection, which isn’t realistic, we can start to create good habits that will help us on our path to success. Success doesn’t usually just show up, it takes time and dedication - effort on our part. Forming habits and continually showing up to practice them ensures that we will, in time, succeed. 

So having decided on the “what ifs” of your writing, think about how to make them a reality. What steps can you start taking and making time for that will help you get to your ultimate end goal(s)? 

Step 5: Write a Rainy Day Note for When You Fail

Before you do step 5, you should take a celebration dance like no one’s watching (and no one is...probably) because you’re doing it, my friend. You are tackling these feelings of failure and changing your creative life for the better. 

How great is that? 

I’m so proud of you! 

The last step to stop feeling like a failure in your writing is to write a rainy date note for yourself for when you fail.

The last step to stop feeling like a failure in your writing is to write a rainy date note for yourself for when you fail. Because you will. Everyone does. But that doesn’t mean you can’t prepare for it by remembering how you feel right now. 

So for the final step, spend some time writing a positive and encouraging note to yourself about why you worked through these steps. What was the purpose? What do you need to hear on a rainy day when it seems like everything you touch fails?

Do this exercise because it really works. I have a rainy day note I use when I’m feeling like I kind of suck, and it works every time without fail. I know it sounds cheesy, but who cares if it works, right? 

Next Steps

First of all, I’m so glad you visited and I hope the steps are so helpful to you. Even if you’re skeptical, give them a try - I think you’ll be surprised at how well they work. 

These steps are so simple, but so powerful!

These steps are so simple, but so powerful! I don’t know about you, but I love getting on board with simple things that make my life better. 

So now that you have the 5 simple steps to stop feeling like a failure in your writing, what do you do next? 

It seems to me you have some pretty great options:

Download the Free Checklist

I love a good checklist, and I ESPECIALLY love this one. Not only is it pretty, but it’s also super helpful. You get the 5 steps in an easy-to-use format, AND you also get some bonus reminders about how to stop feeling bad about your writing & creativity. Double win!

If this sounds awesome to you, or if you’re a little intrigued, click here or fill out the super quick form below to get your checklist for free right now. What’s the worst that could happen with a free checklist?

Keep Practicing Your New Success Mindset

After you get the checklist (or even if you don’t), keep practicing your new mindset. Being able to change your own mind is such a powerful tool! But it takes practice, so spend the time creating those new thoughts and habits in your life.

Write!

Embrace the process and just keep writing.

I will always encourage you to do the thing that scares you, especially in writing. Now that you’ve decided you want to change your mindset, though, it’s even more important to write - practice, fail, succeed, do it all over again. Embrace the process and just keep writing.

Get Additional Encouragement if You Know it Would Help

Last, but certainly not least, if you like these steps and you’re trying to use them but still want or need a little bit of additional help, I can give that to you. Click here to read more about how I work 1:1 with writers like you to encourage, uplift, and help them make the progress on their writing that they’ve been dreaming about but struggling with.

My challenge to you is to download the checklist and start on these steps TODAY. You’ve got this!

Have you used the steps? Or maybe other or additional steps to help yourself feel good about writing? I’d love to hear about your experiences! Find me on social media, drop a comment below, or email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com! 

Let’s chat because you, my friend, are on your way to great writing.

What is an Unstoppable Dream-Getter?

I talk a lot about Unstoppable Dream-Getters here at Capturing Your Confidence, and for a good reason! Everyone has the potential to be one. 

This month, all new blogs will be focusing on bravery and facing our fears. What better way to start off the month than reflecting on what it means to be an Unstoppable Dream-Getter?

What exactly IS an Unstoppable Dream-Getter? 

Characteristics

Characteristics

An Unstoppable Dream-Getter, or UDG for short, is someone who: 

Is brave and courageous. They stand up for what they believe in, and what’s right.

Is bold. They take risks that scare others, even when they may be afraid. They aren’t reckless, but they valiantly leap out of their comfort zone when they see an opportunity.

Is proactive. They don’t wait for something to show up for them or for miracles to be handed down on a silver platter. They look for places to learn and grow every day. 

Is passionate. They love what they do and their determination to share that with the world is second to none.

Is strong. When they lack support, they keep going. They don’t let off the cuff criticism keep them from pursuing their dreams. On the contrary, it fuels the fire. 

Is stubborn and resists taking the “easy” way out. They don't opt for shortcuts when hard work and elbow grease are foundational.

Is reliable, and can be counted on to show up and bring their A game. They don’t half-ass their work because they know that’s a waste of everyone’s time.

Is empathetic to others and knows that loving and caring about others is key to success

Actions

Actions

An Unstoppable Dream-Getter (UDG) is someone who: 

Creates. They write, draw, sing, or whatever other creative outlet expresses a sliver of their soul to the world.

Makes decisions. They analyze the situation and make the best call with the information they have. Indecision does not paralyze them. 

Admits their short-comings. They are not perfect because they are human. What makes them different is their desire and effort to acknowledge and grow these areas to be better.

Gives themselves grace to fail, but doesn’t sulk and let the failure define their path.

Laughs at themselves and takes embarrassment with a grain of salt. They know they are more than their mistakes.

Encourages others, who in turn, encourage them. By promoting positivity, they grow their own self-beliefs. 

Draws boundaries and holds strong to their convictions. They know they can only truly control their own behavior, not that of others, so they don’t waste their effort with unrealistic expectations.

Manages their stress to make the most of opportunities. They might be a worrier at heart, but they develop ways to put their worry into productive planning. Sometimes UDGs need help, and they reach out to get it. This is an exhibit of strength because they have figured out their limits. 

Actively learns at every possible turn. They learn something new every day, and not only recognize that, but value it highly. 

Asks for help when they need it, even when they might not like the answer. Even when reaching out to ask makes them incredibly uncomfortable. They face their fear and use the power of a support network to succeed. 

Wants to see others succeed alongside themselves because they know that there is strength in community. They grow personally, but know deep down that they are only one small piece in a very large puzzle. They also know that all the pieces - themselves included - play a very important role in the puzzle. After all, a puzzle is only complete when all the pieces are in their places within the larger picture. 

Values input on their hard work and effort. They may not naturally be good at accepting criticism, but their desire to grow outweighs their pride. They do not need to be “the best” - they just need to be their personal best. 

Doesn’t make rash, in-the-moment decisions when their livelihood is on the line. They don’t “rage quit” jobs without savings. They don’t give their boss the finger in the parking lot. They dig in and find a way to use their strengths to get out of the situation. 

Opens themselves up and shows their vulnerabilities in service of others. They are real. They are open. They are honest. They tell the truth, even when it’s not easy or popular. 

Refuses to believe they can’t. They might be physically unable, or seemingly out of reach of their dreams, but they are creative and resourceful. There is almost always more than one right way to get somewhere, and a UDG searches until they find it.

Qualities

An Unstoppable Dream-Getter (UDG) is someone who: 

Is a confident go-getter who does the things that scares them most because they know they can. They are more than their anxiety and fear. 

Is flexible and willing to adapt, even when it is a new learning experience.

Has an indomitable spirit. They may bend or shutter under pressure, but they know that storms are only temporary trials, not permanent obstacles. They dig in and adjust their sails - they may even batten down the hatches to survive - but when they do, they come out stronger and more energetic than ever. 

Doesn’t give up! They stick with their dreams through thick and thin - hard and joyous - times. But they know that we live in an ever-changing world that we have to account for. They can figure out when to pivot. 

Rests assured in the knowledge that they can make good decisions and be bold to get to their dreams. They don’t crack under pressure, they lean in and rise to the occasion. They openly face their fears and persist in growing in the face of adversity.

Isn’t fearless, on the contrary. They are sometimes terrified in aspects of their life. 

Isn’t better than anyone else, nor is necessarily a genius. They are normal human beings! What makes them special is their attitude and work ethic. UDGs are persistent and tenacious. They keep an eye on their big dreams, even when the dreams seem unreachable. 

Unstoppable Dream-Getters are so incredibly important because: 

They are irreplaceable and often wear multiple hats. They rock those hats even when it’s a bad hair day. 

They keep the world on its toes through their art and inner-beauty. They create. They do. They succeed not because someone showed them how, but because they decided that not-succeeding wasn’t an option. 

They may falter, and sometimes doubt their path, but they steadfastly show up day after day because that’s how it’s done. There are aren’t miracle fixes or products that can replace the persistent hard work of a reliable UDG. 

When they fail, they take a breath, get their head on straight, and get back up to try again. They do this until they succeed, even when they feel they aren’t progressing. They readjust, improvise, and find another way.

This is what it means to be an Unstoppable Dream-Getter.  

Are you an unstoppable dream-getter? Do you want to be? Reach out to me on social media or via email at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com to learn more about how I can help you get to your big creative dreams. It's what I do.

Interview with an Author: Dr. Joyce Huff

Our June guest author is Dr. Joyce Huff.

Joyce Huff teaches Victorian British literature at Ball State University. She co-edited the long nineteenth-century volume of Bloomsbury’s Cultural History of Disability. Her essays have appeared in collections such as The Fat Studies Reader, Bodies Out of Bounds, and Victorian Freaks, and in journals such as Nineteenth-Century Gender Studies and Fat Studies. Her poetry has appeared in Gargoyle and on the Library of Congress’s Poetry 180 website.

Tell us a little about your specialty studies.

I am interested in the representation of human bodies in literature, particularly in those bodies with proportions, features, or functions that challenge socially constructed norms about what bodies should be and do.

I am interested in the representation of human bodies in literature.

My work examines the role of literature in the construction of these societal norms and asks why certain bodies have historically been stigmatized and how we can create more just, equitable, and diverse ways of envisioning bodies. Although my main focus is on Victorian British literature, I have also written about freak shows, diet crazes, and airline seating, and I am currently researching the diary of a nineteenth century graverobber.

Tell us about your writing journey. Have you always wanted to be a writer?

Yes. For me, writing is a way of working through ideas. I use writing to process my experiences, thoughts, and emotions. When I send out something out to be published, I hope that it will contribute to a larger conversation and also that others will be moved to respond with their own ideas, so that the discussion will continue to grow.

Can you explain a little of the background on how you became an editor for A Cultural History of Disability in the Long Nineteenth Century?

A Cultural History of Disability in the Long Nineteenth Century is part of a six-volume refence set that covers disability history from the ancient world to the present. The idea for the project came from the general editors of the set, Robert McRuer and David Bolt, both scholars I greatly admire.

While excellent collections on the history of disability already exist, most of the essays within them focus on particular places and isolated moments in time: how blindness was understood in Ancient Greece or the development of sign languages in 19th-century Europe and America.

This set has the much more ambitious goal of providing an overarching perspective on disability history.

This set has the much more ambitious goal of providing an overarching perspective on disability history; each volume contains chapters on the same eight topics (such as mental health issues and mobility impairment) with a general overview at the beginning of each volume.

I was very fortunate to be asked to participate in this project, and even luckier to get to work with my co-editor, Martha Stoddard Holmes, whose book Fictions of Affliction: Physical Disability in Victorian Culture, has had a huge influence on my own work.

Are there other books you’ve authored or collaborated on? If so, can you tell us a little about them?

This was my first, and it was so exciting! I have published chapters in other people’s books, but this was the first time I got to see my name on the cover.

How does the process of collaboration work between multiple editors? How does it differ from working on a piece of your own?

Working with Martha was a wonderful experience. Writing can be lonely sometimes, and I find that doubts can creep in when you are working alone. It was lovely to have someone with whom I could talk through ideas and who would give and take encouragement and constructive criticism as the project developed.

Writing can be lonely sometimes, and I find that doubts can creep in when you are working alone.

Our goals for the project were very compatible, and our strengths complemented each other well. For example, I tend to have more fun at the beginning of a project, whereas I think Martha enjoys the end stages more. I learned a lot from her about how to finish things, which is something I always need to work on.

What was your process for putting the collection together?

Martha and I sought out experts on each topic to write the individual chapters, and we co-authored the introduction. I was so pleased with the group of writers that we assembled, many of whom have inspired my own research and teaching.

We gave feedback on multiple drafts from each author, while the general editors provided feedback to us on the collection as a whole.  Martha and I divided up the drafting of the introduction according to our research interests and then shared sources, added to each other’s drafts, and edited each other.

When we pulled the sections of the introduction together, we found that our writing styles meshed so well that we had to color code blended drafts to remember who wrote what!

Academic writing, and oftentimes creative writing, requires a lot of research! Can you describe a little bit about how the research process works with your writing?

Because I feel that writing is joining a conversation, I write best in response to other authors. I often compose with a book open on my knee, alternating between reading and writing. Because my work is historical, I also do primary source research, examining written artifacts from the time period under consideration.

The best part of research for me is finding “hidden treasures.”

The best part of research for me is finding “hidden treasures.” Once, I asked to see a book at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. I was told that the book wasn’t in the computer system. I followed the librarian to a basement with a massive card catalog and located the card, which was handwritten in cursive. According to the card, I was the first person to request the book in over a hundred years.

Describe your biggest writing obstacle and how you overcame it.

Writer’s block. Overcoming writer’s block is an ongoing process, one that you have to keep working at – or, at least, I do. You have to just show up at the page and trust that the writing will happen, which is hard.

There are several works on writer’s block that I’ve found helpful. Probably my favorites are Julia Cameron’s The Right to Writeand Patricia Goodson’s Becoming an Academic Writer.

What is the part of the book (or process) you are most proud of?

One of the best parts of working on this book was how much I learned in the process. My own research focuses on British literature and culture, but, for this project, I needed to think more globally. Because of the scarcity of sources in translation, we ended up focusing on the English-speaking world, which, in the nineteenth century, covered more than a quarter of the globe.

One of the best parts of working on this book was how much I learned in the process.

I particularly wanted to learn more about disabled populations who were not part of the white majority that dominated the Anglophone world. One book I found very helpful was Dea Boster’s African American Slavery and Disability: Bodies, Property and Power in the Antebellum South, 1800-1860.

I also learned a great deal from all of the chapters that our authors submitted. Because I knew almost nothing about the history of stuttering, reading the chapter on speech dysfluency, written by Daniel Martin, was especially illuminating for me.

Do you have plans for another book or additional published writing in the future?

Yes. I am working on the manuscript of a book tracing the history of some of our current attitudes about fatness back to their nineteenth-century roots.

Do you, or would you ever consider, doing creative writing? If so, how do you think that differs from your academic writing?

Though academic writing is my main focus, I occasionally write poems. You can read one of them on the Library of Congress website here and I have a few more coming out in the Spring 2021 issue of Gargoyle.

I write poems when I have an emotional response to the material I’m researching.

I write poems when I have an emotional response to the material I’m researching, but it would not really be relevant to my goals in writing an academic work. Poetry is the perfect form for working through those feelings.

What do you want the world to know about you as an author?

I really want people to start rethinking the narrow limits we have created to define socially acceptable embodiment. Human bodies are very diverse; they come in a range of colors, sizes, configurations, sexes, sexualities, and abilities. I see that diversity as, not simply normal, but also valuable. I hope that my writing will lead other people to think more deeply about that.

What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to aspiring writers?

If I had it to do over, I would have started writing and sharing my writing with others earlier.

I postponed writing until later in my life, and, when I started, I waited too long to show my work to other people and seek out their feedback and advice. If I had it to do over, I would have started writing and sharing my writing with others earlier.

If you would like to read Dr. Huff's collection A Cultural History of Disability in the Long Nineteenth Century you can request your local library purchase it for their reference collection. Purchases can be made here.

If you know an author (or of an author) you would love to read an interview with, email me at rachel@capturingyourconfidence.com!